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46th Annual Tri-C JazzFest

Courtesy C. Andrew Hovan
The ticketed indoor concerts offered some of the most compelling programming in recent memory.
Playhouse Square
Cleveland, OH
June 26-28, 2025
Jazz festivals occupy a precarious space these days. Pressured by financial constraints, too many have drifted toward booking artists with only a passing connection to the jazz tradition. Cuts to both public and private funding have only compounded the difficulty of producing large-scale music festivals. This year's Tri-C JazzFest wasn't immune to those realities. Several of its outdoor performances veered into genres far afield from jazz, but these shows were free and succeeded in attracting the kinds of large, diverse crowds that appeal to corporate sponsors. Fortunately, the ticketed indoor concerts offered some of the most compelling programming in recent memory, even accounting for the obligatory nods to fusion.
After a familiar opening-night set from

Trombone Shorty
tromboneb.1986
One of the weekend's two major tributes featured the

Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
band / ensemble / orchestrab.1995

Oscar Peterson
piano1925 - 2007

Rickey Woodard
saxophone, tenorb.1950

Jeff Hamilton
drumsb.1953

John Clayton
bassb.1952
When pianist

Benny Green
pianob.1963

Stanley Clarke
bassb.1951
Clarke gave ample room to his young bandmates, forging strong onstage chemistry with violinist
Evan Garr
violin
Charles Mingus
bass, acoustic1922 - 1979
Colin Cook
guitarJeremiah Collier
drums
Emilio Modeste
saxophone
Wayne Shorter
saxophone1933 - 2023
Friday night's finale burst into full Technicolor splendor with the arrival of the

Sun Ra Arkestra
band / ensemble / orchestrab.1956

Knoel Scott
saxophone, altob.1956
True to form, the Arkestra's set drew from every corner of the idiom. A mambo-inflected version of "A Stranger in Paradise" fit surprisingly well alongside the jubilant swing of

Fletcher Henderson
arranger1897 - 1952

Tara Middleton
vocalsOne of the evening's most memorable moments came during a raucous baritone saxophone duel between Scott and
Anthony Nelson
clarinet
Charles Davis
saxophoneb.1933
A familiar presence at Tri-C JazzFest, likely due to his involvement with the college's educational initiatives, trumpeter

Dominick Farinacci
trumpetb.1983

Taylor Eigsti
piano
Christian Tamburr
vibraphoneb.1980

Ernie Krivda
saxophoneb.1945

Howie Smith
saxophoneRichard Johnson
pianoJordan McBride
bassGabe Jones
drumsPatrick Graney
drumsThe second half of the set belonged to Eigsti and Tamburr, who paid tribute to the legendary partnership of

Chick Corea
piano1941 - 2021

Gary Burton
vibraphoneb.1943
Filling in for

Dianne Reeves
vocalsb.1956

The Baylor Project
band / ensemble / orchestra
Jean Baylor
vocals
Marcus Baylor
drumsThe frontline pairing of saxophonist
Keith Loftis
saxophone
Freddie Hendrix
trumpetb.1976
Terry Brewer
piano
Eric Wheeler
bassA party atmosphere erupted in full force as

Pedrito Martinez
percussionA constant flurry of motion, Martinez was rarely stationary behind his congasfrequently leaping up to sing, direct the band, and drive the crowd into a state of rhythmic frenzy. Pianist
Ahmed Alom
piano
Sebastian Natal
piano and vocalsb.1984
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About Sun Ra Arkestra
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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Concert Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses | More...THE SAMMY DELEON AND JACKIE WARREN QUARTET, WITH KIP REED...
B Side LoungeCleveland Heights, OH
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B Side LoungeCleveland Heights, OH
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